What's new! The latest Upgrades to Level 01

What's New! There was supposed to be a load bar added today but for some reason it not working as I'd hoped so again I apologize for what might be a bit of a wait while the game load. Hopefully it won't take too long. I'll keep working at trying to find out why the web player is not using my load screen that I made. I most likely have something coded wrong in it or the script not on the right object. I'm fuzzy on how the whole load bar stuff is supposed to work. But for those that are patient here is a run down on some of the cool stuff added.
	Danger signs: "Deadly Toxic Mud Bogs" are now marked by signs to warn players just how dangerous they are to "Bud the Spud." One step in these and it's "Mashed potato for "Bud the Spud."
	Fire Flies: Keep a lookout for these little helpers as they will provide clues as to either where to go or safe places to jump from. "Bud the Spud" will get lots of helpful hints from clusters of brightly lighted Fire Flies scattered about the various game levels.
	Healthy Potato Leaf: Pick up these sparkling green Potato Leafs to gain 25 points to Bud's existing health. They will sure come in handy if he has taken damage from either miss timed jumps on Worms or from worm attacks.
	Extra Life Heart: Although not technically new, players will now find that the heart has been moved from the broken pipe the deadly third mud bog and placed inside of a new broken pipe located in the middle left of that 3rd mud bog.

Updates to Online Testing Version of Bud The Spud Friday 23rd

Are you counting down the seconds to see all the sweet new changes that I've been hard at work creating to level 01 this week? Well you've not long to wait my friends, This Friday 23rd which is tomorrow around 5 PM ish I'll be uploading the latest version of Bud The Spud Unity 3D Web Player version so you'll be able to play and test out the latest updates to the game. You'll see all sorts of new stuff added to the game environment. If you've been following this blog and who whoever is interested in the game and who has been playing and likes the game would not be lol then you'll already have a good heads up on the shwack load of awesomeness that is going to be in the latest version this Friday. All kinds of cool stuff like

1. Bud's Blob Shadow fixed so not it does not spin around when he does his "Flip Jump."
2. Danger signs added around the Deadly Toxic Mud Bogs.
3. Fireflies to give players hints as to where to go in the game environment.
4. Special Potato Leaf Health pick ups that add 25 points to Bud's existing health.
5. Some cool background music.
6. A new broken pipe by the 3rd Toxic Mud Bog.
7. More worms to fight.
8. More Fertilizer pellets to collect.
9. Beast light mapping for shadows.
10. More challenges.
11. Additional sound effects.

Wow,  I mean WOW! I have been a busy little beaver this week. What can I say, I live to serve lol.

Don't forget to post comments to the blog as I would love to hear anything you have to say. Ideas, suggestions, rants, raves, you name it, it's all good. Who knows maybe some of your awesome ideas may wind up in a future level of my "Bud the Spud" game. ;)

A Little More Bling!

Just to add a little more "Bling" I thought I would add a nice magic sparkle particle effect to the Potato Leaf health pick up object. Now it's a lot more noticeable with that cool energy sparkle effect coming off of it and drifting upwards like magic fairy dust or something. I got it set up so it's color kind of cycles between a deep florescent green to a greenish almost aqua blue color. These cool health pick ups add 25 points to Bud's existing health. This one seen here is pretty easy for Bud to reach the one way up top on the floating stone platform however is another matter, Bud will need some pretty skill full jump timing to get that one without falling through the hole in the platform. ;) Gotta just love a challenge don't ya ;)

2nd Brocken Pipe Added

I added an additional challenge to Level one this morning. Over by the 3rd deadly toxic mud bog is a new broken pipe. Bud the Spud can jump onto the pipe and get in inside of it by jumping down from one of the floating stone platforms above. I added another rock in the middle of the mud bog so he'll be able to get back once he is done exploring the inside of the broken pipe. I tried to just jump out of the pipe but the distance was too great for Bud to make it across to the center rock safely so the addition of the extra stone should make it easier. I still have to test that out and see if it's possible yet but it should be.

Here you can see Bud the Spud looking down from the floating stone platform onto the new broken pipe. Inside you can see I've moved the extra life heart from the other pipe and place it inside of this one along with some additional Fertilizer pellets. I'll bet there are some player's that are going to just hate me for that. But hey it's not that bad, by now you should be all masters at making Bud jump around his underground environment. If not all I can say is practice makes perfect ;)

Everything is Coming Up Potatos!

OK so get this, I'm out for my run this morning and as I'm running down the little fenced part of the river trail that runs along Waterfront Drive close to the Baseball park I spot 3 brand new healthy looking Potato's lying on the trail. Hmmmm... "One Potato, Two Potato, Three Potato More!" I think I'll take this as a good omen ;) That's just so weird huh? What a strange coincidence to come across something like that in such a strange place, nothing could have been more out of place than that!!

Potato Leaf Health Pickup

Bud the Spud has a new health pick up item, the Healthy Potato Leaf will add 25 health points to Bud's existing health points. Not only are the Fireflies helping Bud here cross the deadly middle mud bog but they are also giving a hint to look up and spot the glowing green healthy potato leaf. "Sweeet!" Bud will say when he gets one of these, especially if he's been injured by attacking worms.

There is another one located way above ground on the floating stone platform but Bud will need some supper skillful jumping dexterity to get that one without falling through the hole and having to climb back up again. I've managed to do it a few time but it is a very difficult jump to get just right, but it can be done. Worse case scenario is that he'll just have to climb back up again if he falls through the hole. Hopefully he managed to get the potato leaf in the process though.

Bud the Spud With Fireflies

As part of Jonathan's idea he suggested on Gamasutra to add visual cues or clues as to where to go I added some fireflies into the scene to give the players a hint. For instance on the middle deadly mud bog it would be perhaps logical for a lot of player to try and jump to the broken dock on the other side of the mud bog from the center island, and although it can be done it is a bit of a tricky jump. The safer jump is to the right of the dock along the mud bog edge. The fireflies flying around the glowing green fungus will hopefully provide a clue to the safer jump option.

Here we can see a screen capture of bud the spud with his very helpful Fireflies. They  are an animated particle system so if you get close to them you can see a little animated glowing bug flapping its wings while they lazily fly about and fade in and out. It's awesome comments like those from Jonathan that I just love and REALLY take to heart. ;)